Top Pick this Halloween – Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water

If you’re looking for something a wee bit spooky this Halloween, then Koei Tecmo and Nintendo have just the thing for you. It’s called Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water, and if the previous entries are anything to go by, it’ll probably take your boxers downtown to browntown baby.

The only catch is that you’ll need a Wii U to play it and some spare cash come October 31st. It’ll be easily available on the Nintendo eShop for everyone that wants the digital copy, but if you want a physical copy, you’ll have to dig a little deeper. To the tune of £49.99… to be exact. For that much though, you’ll get a pretty cool albeit pretty run-of-the-mill “limited edition”.

The Project Zero series (or Fatal Frame in the US) has always been around but was never really a hit sensation in the West. In fact, the last game in the series, Mask of the Lunar Eclipse, was never published outside of Japan. However, this Halloween, after ten years, Project Zero is being reintroduced to Western audiences and is the first in the series to be released on an HD console.

This time you’ll play as three protagonists as they explore the haunted Mount Hikami. Pre-release footage and screenshots shows off some great looking and atmospheric rural environments like forests, creeks and ruined buildings where you’ll likely be ambushed by some spooky ass ghosts.

Fans of this now almost cult status series will be glad to hear that the core gameplay of the franchise remains this instalment’s bread and butter. There’s still an emphasis on exploration and survival, and your trusty Camera Obscura remains your solitary hope of fending off the vengeful dead. The only change you’ll find is with the clever use of the Wii U’s GamePad, which can effectively become the famous antique Camera.

With the extra screen and functions of the GamePad, the developers will be hoping to add another level of depth and immersion to a series that will hopefully draw newcomers to the games. However, those who didn’t enjoy defeating ghosts by photographing them in 2005 probably won’t be that fussed now despite the upgrade in visuals. Still, I enjoy me a good scary game at Halloween and this could be the ticket.

Subscribe to our mailing list

Get the latest game reviews, news, features, and more straight to your inbox

Thank you for subscribing to Brash Games.

Something went wrong.

We respect your privacy and take protecting it seriously, We do not pass on or sell your details.